NOW YOU KNOW
Since 1978, when the NFL went to a 16-game schedule, and excluding the abbreviated season of 1982, teams that won their openers are more than twice as likely to reach the playoffs than the losers.
Of the 314 teams that won openers, 169 went to the playoffs (93 won division titles).
Of the 314 teams that lost openers, 71 went to the playoffs (38 won division titles).
Last season nine of the 12 playoff teams (Baltimore, Indianapolis, Miami, Minnesota, N.Y. Giants, Oakland, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Tampa Bay) won their first game.
Here are the longest current opening day winning streaks:
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Team Games Miami 10 Jacksonville 6 New York Giants 4* Indianapolis 3 St. Louis 3
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*--play tonight
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